| Economy - overview: | The economy is dominated by the alumina industry, which accounts for more than 15% of GDP and 70% of export earnings. Suriname's economic prospects for the medium term will depend on continued commitment to responsible monetary and fiscal policies and to the introduction of structural reforms to liberalize markets and promote competition. The government of Ronald VENETIAAN has begun an austerity program, raised taxes, and attempted to control spending. While - in 2002 - President VENETIAAN agreed to a large pay raise for civil servants, threatening his earlier gains in stabilizing the economy, he did not repeat this promise in the run-up to the May 2005 elections, which he won. Economic policies are likely to remain the same during VENETIAAN's second term. The Dutch Government has agreed to restart the aid flow, which will allow Suriname to access international development financing, but plans to phase out funds over the next five years. The short-term economic outlook depends on the government's ability to control inflation and on the development of projects in the bauxite and gold mining sectors. The opening of the Gross Rosbel gold mine is expected to boost exports and GDP growth. Prospects for local onshore oil production are good, as a drilling program is underway. Offshore oil drilling was given a boost in 2004 when the State Oil Company (Staatsolie) signed exploration agreements with Repsol and Mearsk. |
| GDP - per capita | $4,700 (2005 est.) |
| GDP - real growth rate (%) | 4% (2005 est.) |
| Agriculture - products | paddy rice, bananas, palm kernels, coconuts, plantains, peanuts; beef, chickens; forest products; shrimp |
| GDP - composition by sector (%) | agriculture: 13%, industry: 22%, services: 65% (2001 est.) |
| Industries | bauxite and gold mining, alumina production, oil, lumbering, food processing, fishing |
| Economic aid - recipient | Netherlands provided $37 million for project and program assistance, European Development Fund $4 million, Belgium $2 million (1998) |
| Debt - external | $321 million (2002 est.) |
| Population below poverty line (%) | 70% (2002 est.) |
| Labor force - by occupation (%) | agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA% |
Environment, Land use / Resources, Economy, Population / Demographics, Infrastructure, Health -- CIA World Factbook, 2005
